Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information is not available in the format requested. Data is produced quarterly in February, May, August and November each year; the available information on those claiming each benefit for a year or more, as at February each year, is in the table.
	
		Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance claimants whose claim has lasted a year or more, in Great Britain; at February each year
		
			  Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance 
			 2001 2,286,120 1,825,800 1,167,000 
			 2002 2,321,450 1,914,600 1,197,900 
			 2003 2,327,610 2,281,300 1,244,440 
			 2004 2,364,530 2,400,860 1,268,160 
			 2005 2,366,640 2,503,890 1,317,930 
		
	
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Claimants may be in receipt of more than one of these benefits, and will be included in the figures for each benefit.
	3. No new Severe Disablement Allowance claims have been accepted since 6 April 2001.
	4. Incapacity Benefit figures include those in receipt of National Insurance credits only.
	5. Disability Living Allowance figures exclude claimants who are entitled but whose payment has been suspended.
	6. Attendance Allowance figures include claimants who are entitled but whose payment has been suspended.
	Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Lord Rooker: The results of the Irish four-area badger culling trial were published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine in January 2005. The authors reported a 60-90 per cent. reduction in the rate at which herds were becoming subject to confirmed restrictions. The total number of herd restrictions in the removal areas for the study period was almost 58 per cent. lower than in the reference area. Therefore, the study showed that badger removal can be effective in reducing the incidence of bovine tuberculosis.
	However, caution needs to be exercised in directly applying these results to England due to differences in badger densities, ecology and cattle husbandry techniques.
	The results from the Republic of Ireland will be considered alongside other evidence when making a decision on badger culling in England.

Lord Triesman: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, gave on 16 May (Official Report, Commons, col. 893W) and the answer my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, gave on 23 May (Official Report, Commons, cols. 1626-1627W) in another place.
	Given the restrictions on access to the conflict areas, there is no accurate estimate of the number of fatalities or injuries. Our embassies in Rangoon and Bangkok continue to monitor the situation.

Lord Rooker: Our proposals for phase two are set out in the UK Draft National Allocation Plan which was published for public consultation in March. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme Directive states that the phase two national allocation plan (NAP) should be submitted to the Commission by 30 June and the final allocation decision by 31 December 2006.
	This is a challenging deadline and in order to learn lessons from phase one and to expand the scheme to cover the activities set out in the revised Commission guidance, the UK Government recognise that it will not be possible to collect and process the data in time to meet the first of these deadlines. The Government are however aiming to submit its NAP as soon as possible after the June deadline and to submit our final allocation decision by 31 December 2006.
	We are looking to the Commission to provide robust, transparent scrutiny of phase two plans to ensure the EU meets its Kyoto targets.

Lord Triesman: A full breakdown of the number of Chevening scholars who came from Latin American countries between 1995 and 2005 is attached. The percentage of total annual Chevening awards going to scholars from Latin America has gone from 13.8 per cent. to 10.6 per cent. between 2000 and 2005, in line with the changing global pattern of scholarships and to fund the introduction of the new professional Chevening Fellowship scheme. Mexico and Brazil currently receive the 4th and 6th highest number of Chevening scholarships respectively in the world.
	
		Chevening Awards: Latin America 1995 to 2005
		
			 Country 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 
			 Argentina 34 29 23 25 25 31 28 25 23 17 
			 Belize 4 3 3 5 5 4 6 5 3 3 
			 Bolivia 7 6 3 4 7  5 5 6 7 
			 Brazil 75 71 66 85 65 84 87 65 72 63 
			 Chile 7 11 9 10 12 13 18 16 13 13 
			 Colombia 20 12 14 15 16 20 17 13 20 18 
			 Costa Rica 6 8 8 5 3 3 3 3 4  
			 Cuba 5 4 4 6 5 5 4 4 3 4 
			 Dominican Republic of Haiti 10 6 5 8 9 8 8 7 8 5 
			 Ecuador 4 4 4 3 3 5 4 5 2 2 
			 El Salvador 2 2 3 0 4 2 2 2 0 1 
			 Guatemala 0 0 3 2 3 4 2 3 3 5 
			 Guyana 2 4 4 4 5 6 4 7 6 10 
			 Honduras 0 0 1 0 0 0  1 1 0 
			 Mexico 109 83 79 68 77 81 77 67 68 56 
			 Nicaragua 2 1  2 1 3 2 2 2 2 
			 Panama 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 1 
			 Paraguay 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 
			 Peru 13 8 11 8 7 9 8 9 7 6 
			 Uruguay 8 7 4 4 4 7 8 7 5 5 
			 Venezuela 34 25 18 18 19 22 18 16 21 12 
			 Totals 345 286 265 323 270 315 304 266 271 233

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have supported any schemes other than Chevening for bringing Latin American students to the United Kingdom for post-graduate courses.

Lord Adonis: There are no government scholarship schemes aimed specifically at Latin American students. However, the Department for Education and Skills funds the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) which provides grants to post-graduate students undertaking research at UK institutions. As with the Chevening scholarships scheme, ORSAS grants are available to students from anywhere in the world and are awarded on the basis of merit.

Lord Rooker: The total nominal catches of Atlantic salmon (in tonnes round fresh weight, which is the weight of the fish before being gutted or frozen) for current EU member states are provided in the table below for the periods 1961 to 1963, 1971 to 1973, 1981 to 1983, 1991 to 1993 and 2001 to 2003. In comparison with the 1961 to 1963 period, catches were 26 per cent. higher in 1971 to 1973, but lower by 12 per cent, 56 per cent. and 64 per cent. in the successive three-year periods. The catch taken by drift nets in the Irish Republic represented 6.8 per cent. of the total "EU" catch in the period 1961 to 1963, increasing to 23.6 per cent, 27.5 per cent, 24.3 per cent. and 39.9 per cent. in the subsequent three-year periods.
	
		
			 Period "EU" nominal catch (t) % change on 1961-63 % Irish drift of "EU" total 
			 1961-63 10,107 - 6.8 
			 1971-73 12,738 +26 23.6 
			 1981-83 8,857 -12 27.5 
			 1991-93 4,493 -56 24.3 
			 2001-03 3,683 -64 39.9

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 10 February (WA 125), whether they have made representations to the Government of the Irish Republic on the obligations under the European Union Habitat Directive and the United Nations Law of the Sea in respect of drift netting of north Atlantic salmon; and what were the results of those representations.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government have not made representations to the Irish Government regarding their obligations under the EC Habitats Directive nor their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
	Her Majesty's Government take the view that resolution of this issue should properly be dealt with in an EU context rather than through a larger international forum. In this regard we note that the European Commission has issued a letter of formal complaint to the Irish Government about the effects of drift netting on the conservation status of salmon. This is the first step towards a possible action in the European Court of Justice against Ireland in respect of its failure to meet obligations towards salmon under the EC Habitats Directive. Unless and until the Commission formally institutes such action, its case against the Irish Government is not a matter of public record, nor is the UK Government given the opportunity to comment.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans there are for the Minister for Europe, Mr Geoff Hoon, to vacate the government-owned residence he currently occupies; and what was the running cost for the residence in the last year for which figures are available.

Lord Triesman: My right honourable friend the Minister for Europe will be vacating his government-owned residence as soon as arrangements can be made. The running costs charged for this residence in financial year 2005-06 were as follows:
	Rent: £59,016
	Service charge: £83,152
	Total: £142,168

Lord Triesman: Malnutrition among Iraqi children, which has been a serious concern since the early 1990s, appears to have steadily increased since the UN Children's Fund's (UNICEF) Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, undertaken in 2000. This survey reported an acute malnutrition rate of 5.9 per cent. among children under five years old. The latest report on child malnutrition in Iraq is the Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis, produced by the Iraqi Central Office of Statistics and Information Technology with support from UNICEF and the World Food Programme. This survey found an acute malnutrition rate of 9 per cent. among children under five years old.
	UNICEF considers that this increase in malnutrition is the result of a range of factors. These include the lingering effects of war and sanctions in the 1990s, plus ongoing conflict and insecurity.
	To tackle levels of acute malnutrition, the Iraqi Government need to ensure that adequate supplies of food reach the poorest families, while also working to tackle poverty and ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth in the long term. The Department for International Development (DfID) helped to ensure that Iraq's public distribution system (PDS) for food was re-established quickly after the conflict in 2003. DfID is now supporting the Iraqi Government to develop economic policies:
	to protect the poorest in Iraq who are dependent on the PDS, by designing safety net support programmes targeted at those who really need state assistance;
	at the same time, to reduce the economic distortions created by distributing food, virtually free, to the entire population. Reform of the subsidy system will help to encourage economic growth and job creation, so that more Iraqi families can buy their own food.

Lord Triesman: The Iraqi people already administer their country. Sovereignty was restored on 28 June 2004 with the transfer of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority to Iraqi Interim Government. Following full national elections on 15 December 2005 they now have a permanent Government in place.
	The Iraqi security forces, including the Iraqi police and Armed Forces, are also controlled by the Iraqi Government, through the Ministries of Interior and Defence. The multi-national forces in Iraq are there at the request of the Iraqi Government. The process of transferring security responsibility to the Iraqi authorities in provinces and cities across Iraq will begin shortly. This will be a conditions-based process as set out in the 22 May joint statement by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and the Iraqi Prime Minister. I am placing a copy of this statement in the Library of the House and will also send a copy to the noble Lord.

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 26 April (WA 32) which stated that "we [the Government] have passed the new Racial and Religious Hatred Act", whether they will consider attributing the passing of legislation to the legislature rather than to the executive.

Lord Warner: European Union law specifies that member states may not prohibit or impede the placing on the market of medicinal products within their territory on grounds connected with labelling or the package leaflet where these comply with the requirements of EU law (Directive 2001/83/EC as amended). Information about whether the medicine has been tested on animals is not required in EU law.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that the murders which took place at Darkley Church, and that of Margaret Hearst, come within the remit of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) which was set up to review unresolved deaths, relating to the security situation, from 1168 to April 1998. One of the aims of the HET is to consider such cases to identify any potential investigative leads which may result in possible prosecutions. As part of the review process, the HET will liaise with the families of victims to keep them advised of progress with the aim of providing resolution, where possible, either by judicial or non-judicial means. Until such reviews commence, it is too early to comment on the strength of any investigative leads and what the outcome will be. However, I understand that in the Darkley cases no one has been made amenable to date and as such there may be outstanding suspects. In the case of Margaret Hearst, I understand that four persons have been convicted and a review of this case will determine whether or not there are any outstanding offenders in relation to this offence.

Lord Rooker: Northern Ireland based employees of the north/south implementation bodies are not required to register their membership of the Knights of Saint Columbanus.

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps the quartet intend to take to prevent the possible collapse of the Palestinian banking system, on which the private sector of the economy relies.

Lord Triesman: The quartet (EU, US, UN and Russia) are following the economic and humanitarian situation in the Occupied Territories closely. The banking system is one area of particular concern. The Government are following the issue closely and officials are in touch with the banks themselves and with the Palestinian Monetary Authority. We will continue to work with quartet partners to monitor and improve the economic situation in the Occupied Territories.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 May (WA 120), where the information is held as to occasions since 1997 when the Environment Agency has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and how members of the public may have access to that information; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 9 May (WA 120), whether the Environment Agency will in future hold information about the its compliance with the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations in a way which permits public access to that information.

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the per capita cost of (a) recruitment and (b) training recruits during the past twelve months of the Police Service for Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that the recruiting costs for year 2005-06 are still being processed, therefore an accurate figure cannot be presented at this time. In addition, statistics on financial spending are calculated on a financial-year basis; that is, 1 April to 31 March.
	The per capita cost of (a) recruiting trainees for the financial year 2004-05 was £9551.77. There were 531 police officers recruited out of a total of 11,801 applicants.
	The per capita cost of (b) training recruits for the financial year 2005-06 was £7525.18. There were 10 training courses with a total cost of £3,311,081.15. Each course had 44 students with a course duration of 105 days.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice, guidance or other material has been drawn up by the Home Office regarding the possibility of a legal challenge to the Secretary of State for the Home Department's plans for police-force restructuring in England and Wales; and whether they will place a copy of any such advice in the Library of the House.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office will take advice from departmental lawyers and Treasury solicitors in the normal way in the event that any legal challenges are mounted against the Home Secretary's plans for police-force restructuring. Such advice will not be placed in the Library of the House as it is subject to legal professional privilege.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of each letter or other form of correspondence received by the Home Office regarding its plans for police-force restructuring in England and Wales from (a) each chief constable or police force; (b) each local authority; and (c) each police authority in those areas affected.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether officials or Ministers within the Home Office have had contact with officials or Ministers within the Law Officers' Department regarding a possible legal challenge to their plans for police-force restructuring in England and Wales.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations, written or otherwise, the Home Office received from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police regarding its plans for police-force restructuring in England and Wales; and whether they will place a copy of any such representations in the Library of the House.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The record of any previous convictions must be included among the documentation received when a newly sentenced prisoner first enters prison, and will alert prison staff to any previous custodial sentences the prisoner may have served. Staff will also question the prisoner to ascertain what establishment he or she was last discharged from, and will also confirm this from the Prison Service inmate database. When a prisoner leaves at the end of his sentence his record is held at the discharge prison. The time lapse before the records reach the receiving prison is about seven days as they are sent through the postal system. There was a proposal to hold the records in a central area, but this was rejected by the Prison Service Management Board 2000.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Every prisoner entering custody must be accompanied by a valid warrant or other lawful authority for his or her detention, which confirms the prisoner's identity, and the record of any previous convictions. Other documentation received with the prisoner should normally include a Prisoner Escort Record (PER) form setting out any known risks relating to him or her, and any court reports prepared by the National Probation Service. If the prisoner has been identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm, a warning form alerting the receiving prison to this will also be included.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: For the 12 month period ending 31 December 2005, the turnover rate for probation officers in the National Probation Service was 7.41 per cent. This compares to a rate of 7.53 per cent. for the equivalent period a year previously (12 months to 31 December 2004).

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the actual expenditure in Waterways Ireland in 2005 broken down by total spend on capital, maintenance, wages and salaries; and what is the percentage difference to the amounts allocated in the budget.